Kiama Council staff have rejected a proposed $13.3 million mega mansion at Jamberoo Road, Croom due to concerns over effluent disposal. READ MORE: $13.3 million development application in Jamberoo raises eyebrows The development on Lot 12 Jamberoo Road, Croom would see the demolition of an existing dairy, the construction of a large rural dwelling, a secondary dwelling, information and education building, farm stay accommodation with five cabins, hay and tractor sheds and roadworks. “This rejection by council occurred on the basis that recently received information in relation to the capacity of the proposed on-site effluent disposal system triggered “designated development” provisions,” director of environmental services Linda Davis said. “As a result, the current DA was deemed to be incomplete, as it had not followed designated development requirements and procedures.” The proposed principle dwelling would be spread across four split levels, with a total floor space of 3340.4 square metres, when viewed from the front the building, would reach a height of 17 metres above the natural ground level. Jamberoo resident Graham Pike had raised concerns over the development previously, saying it was “another encroachment in the Kiama Municipality and in particular Jamberoo, onto viable, actively productive agricultural land”. “I don’t think this is going to be the last we hear of this, there are a number of ways a developer can get around these things,” he said. “The simplest thing is to do is a full and proper Environmental Impact Statement, it is in a sensitive position, there are water courses and it is at the head of a catchment.” Mr Pike said if the DA was resubmitted, it should be “rejected outright and permanently”. “No matter if this proposal comes back, it will always be an inappropriate development and it should always be rejected on the grounds it is inappropriate for agricultural land,” he said. “The Kiama LEP prevents this sort of activity, and lets face it these 120 acres were dairy farm until only 18-months ago. “We shouldn’t be allowing these type of developments to alienate agricultural land – the LEP prevents the fragmentation of primary productive land.” Mr Pike questioned the intended usage of the development, which was described as “farm stay accommodation” in the application. “I seriously doubt it was going to be used as a farm stay, with a residence able to sleep 24 people,” he said. “It’s a farm stay without a farm.”

The development on Lot 12 Jamberoo Road, Croom would see the demolition of an existing dairy, the construction of a large rural dwelling, a secondary dwelling, information and education building, farm stay accommodation with five cabins, hay and tractor sheds and roadworks.

“This rejection by council occurred on the basis that recently received information in relation to the capacity of the proposed on-site effluent disposal system triggered “designated development” provisions,” director of environmental services Linda Davis said.

“As a result, the current DA was deemed to be incomplete, as it had not followed designated development requirements and procedures.”

The proposed principle dwelling would be spread across four split levels, with a total floor space of 3340.4 square metres, when viewed from the front the building, would reach a height of 17 metres above the natural ground level.

“It’s a farm stay without a farm.”

Graham Pike

Jamberoo resident Graham Pike had raised concerns over the development previously, saying it was “another encroachment in the Kiama Municipality and in particular Jamberoo, onto viable, actively productive agricultural land”.

“I don’t think this is going to be the last we hear of this, there are a number of ways a developer can get around these things,” he said.

“The simplest thing is to do is a full and proper Environmental Impact Statement, it is in a sensitive position, there are water courses and it is at the head of a catchment.”

Mr Pike said if the DA was resubmitted, it should be “rejected outright and permanently”.

“No matter if this proposal comes back, it will always be an inappropriate development and it should always be rejected on the grounds it is inappropriate for agricultural land,” he said.

“The Kiama LEP prevents this sort of activity, and lets face it these 120 acres were dairy farm until only 18-months ago.

“We shouldn’t be allowing these type of developments to alienate agricultural land – the LEP prevents the fragmentation of primary productive land.”

Mr Pike questioned the intended usage of the development, which was described as “farm stay accommodation” in the application.

“I seriously doubt it was going to be used as a farm stay, with a residence able to sleep 24 people,” he said.